All About Pocket Knives

I have a Colonial Barlow that I bought when I was a kid, and I am thinking about replacing the cheap plastic scales with some nice bone or wood. Problem is the scales are clipped on, not pinned. How hard would it be for someone to remove them and pin some nice bone or wood? I know it will cost more than the knife is worth, but it was one of the first knives (if not the very first) I bought as a boy. I'm pretty sure the blades, once sharpened will perform admirably.

There are some fine knife mechanics on this site who could do that work for you. It's a little more involved, as I believe the bolsters are not solid. Solid bolsters could be manufactured.

I have seen that type of conversion done. The blades should be decent and servicable for you. We would like to see the project when it's finished!

Glenn

Thanks, you are right about the bolsters. They are clip on also. Does this mean it could theoretically be rescaled as a shadow pattern, with the bone/wood covering what is now scale and bolster?

To do the job properly the knife will have to be dismantled.
Remove the clip on bolsters exposing the liners.
Underneath the clip on scales you will see the knife is riveted together.
Rivets will have to be drilled out then knife reassembled with pins.
You will also have to make and attach new solid bolsters.

I refurbished an old Imperial that I had as a kid.

http://allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_f ... 37&t=22987

It can get pretty involved depending on what you want to do.

JW

Unfortunately, the liners need to be replaced as well on these type of knives.
There is an embossment in each end of them for the "shell handle" to attach to.
But still it can be done.

..... Joe

I need to correct myself here.
The Barlow's only have the embossment at one end of the liner. The bolster end.

I have tried to hammer it flat before, but that just resulted in a distorted and somewhat
thinner area at that end of the liner.

..... Joe

Nice work on the Imperial JW.

I was able to get the scale off the pen blade side to get a look-see underneath. Would it be cheaper/easier for whomever I get to do this work to replace the liners or to cut out the wood/bone to fit over the three tab holders? Or, could the tab holders just be filed down to create flat liners?

I know its not a traditional barlow look, but I'm thinking a solid scale (shadow type) would look nice on this.

Well, I had no problems just flattening those embossed clip points down with a few whacks with a small hammer.
I did sand the liners afterwards.
I also sanded out those clip notch areas at the bolster end which actually made the knife handle/bolsters a little smaller.
Which didn't affect the blades when closing.
In the long run if you want it done right , new liners made of stainless would be the way to go.
With my knife I didn't want to spend any cash for anything new and used odds & ends and scrap wood cut off's.
Plus I wanted to use as much of the original parts as possible.

You can have any number of things done to that knife depending on how much you want to spend.
Put a post out to the numerous knife mechanics on this sight that redue knives for a living and get an estimate on how much it will cost you. They could probably recreate the "BARLOW" emblem on the bolsters exactly.
If the blades on that Colonial are anything like my Imperial "which I'm guessing they are" The steel they used is very good and will take an excellent edge that lasts a long time.


JW

I guess it all depends on well ...a few things. I love these old shell knives, although the blades are fairly thin, i'd match them up to any steel you can buy today for the price. But if it is your child hood knife? Well you've already torn one side off.....welcome to the world of knife alteration. I guess you could mill the inside of some handle material that accept the pins and tabs on the liners..I've never done it, and epoxy some handles on. I guess to do it right you'd have to tear the knife apart, using just the spring and blade... and liner for a pattern for a new one. I guess you could use the old liner.....but..... One of the best shell handle conversions I made I just used the main blade, ditched the pen and made some new nickel silver liners that were way thick to make up for the lost blade. Bolsters soldered to the liner and some antler scales... think I wish I had it back...oh well...

Craig

I'm new here, and at the whole idea of knife restoration. So how should I go about finding someone to do this work?

If I decided to leave the blades/liners/springs riveted together and epoxy some bone or wood on, where would I go to acquire that scale material?

Here ya go, Doug!

http://www.knifehandles.com/

.... Joe

Thanks Joe!

They have some lovely choices. I really like the amber carved stag bone, looks very similar to the scales on a Queen Mountain Man I used to have.

The liners on this barlow are 3.5625" long and 0.8125" wide at the widest point, so I should be able to find something to fit.

I did find a piece of amber carved stag bone that will fit this barlow, now to find someone to do the work.

Joe, if you or anyone else can recommend some folks to me I would be very appreciative. I believe my email is in my profile.

I rescaled an old colonial with similar clip on scales, like your barlow. It's glued not pinned. Just thought I would share the the info. I went the cheaper route. So there are no bolsters or sheild. However, I really like the finished product better than the original and best of all it's one of a kind and personally done.



http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... 14&t=28368

Nice work Cutty. I love the finished product! That is how I hope by barlow will look in the end.

My problem is I don't really have any of the necessary tools to do it myself.

Thanks Doug

The only tools I used were a small table grinder, table saw, dremel, sand paper and a LOT of patience. I probably could have gotten by with just the grinder and a grinding bit for a power drill. However grinding down the extra material would have been a slower process to keep from over heating the bone, before I got the intended shape. I expalined in better detail what I used on the other post I linked.

The best part is I fixed up an old knife of my grandfathers that I will keep and cherish for years to come!

Good luck!

I read somewhere on here......if grinding or sanding bone be absolutely sure to wear a respirator....not just a cotton dusk mask.

TripleF wrote:I read somewhere on here......if grinding or sanding bone be absolutely sure to wear a respirator....not just a cotton dusk mask.

Oh really? I wore neither. Well, live and learn. I'm just an old redneck but no need to do further damage to myself. Thanks for the info

PM sent, Doug.

.... Joe

Thank you Joe, for that very helpful recommendation.

Hey guys! I did an Imperial Grand Daddy Barlow a couple years back. I used the oak from a half rotted wine barrel for scales. I cut flat slabs of good wood and then traced out the shape of old scales on the oak. Cut to shape. Hollowed out the scales until fit the the shell and then glued them on! Hand sanded to a final fit. Here's how it came out.
Maybe I'll stain and polish her some day

Randy

I LIKE it Randy...nice and those oak barrel scales kinda like them them natural......! Doug want to see some finished product...hope you're learning.......as me....!

Craig

Nice work Randy. I may end up putting some wood on the shell like you did. I think that would probably be the most cost-effective route.

However, I really do have a strong desire for another amber carved stag bone knife since I sold my Queen Mountain Man. If I could get some of that on this frame I would be very happy!

Thanks guys! Doug that stag sounds real sweet! Let everyone know how your project turns out. I may try some stag at some point. But shaping stag to the shell , I like to save as much of knife as can , won't be as easy as carving wood. I have another Imperial Barlow apart right now. I am thinking of aluminum bolsters and Tiger Stripe Maple. When I find the time that is! We sure have a lot of talent here in the AAPK! Keep up the great work